NL East Notes: Nova, Marlins, Taylor, Mets

The Marlins are known to be seeking starting pitching, and the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported over the weekend that “Miami has had interest” in a trade for Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova this winter. The match makes some sense on paper, as Nova, who is reportedly being shopped by the Yankees, will be affordable at a projected $4.4MM (via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz), which would come in well within Miami’s budget. The Marlins have been linked to starters and said to be comfortable in the range of a $12MM annual value, so Nova’s relatively modest salary shouldn’t be a problem. The link to Nova continues somewhat of a recent shift in reports pertaining to Miami’s search for rotation upgrades; the Marlins have now been connected to Nova, Doug Fister, Cliff Lee and Edwin Jackson within the past week — all likely one-year commitments. Previously, the team was linked to multi-year deals for starting pitchers and was also said to be eyeing young starting pitching in trade scenarios with a variety of teams, including the Indians and Mariners. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna could yet return a notable starting pitcher, but Miami’s asking price on the 24-year-old has been high (he certainly wouldn’t be in play in any talks for Nova).

Michael A. Taylor’s role with the Nationals in 2016 is up in the air at this time, writes Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. While Taylor, who is entering his age-25 season, showed impressive defense and a nice blend of speed/power last season in an unexpectedly regular role (necessitated by injuries to Denard Span and Jayson Werth), he also struck out in nearly 31 percent of his plate appearances and displayed a lack of plate discipline, thereby yielding OBP questions. As things stand right now, Taylor is penciled in as Washington’s opening day center fielder. However, the team’s reported interest in names like Jason Heyward, Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra seems to indicate some discontent with the current outfield trio, Janes notes. Interestingly, she doesn’t seem to think that Taylor would head to Triple-A for regular at-bats even in the event of a significant outfield addition, instead writing that Taylor “would likely slide into the role of superutility outfielder,” spelling the aging, injury-prone Werth and others as needed.

Wonder if the Angels and Marlins could match up for a deal. Both players aren’t likely to be dealt but I wonder if the fish would be willing to consider Yellich for Heaney (maybe with some other pieces).

Yelich >>> Heaney……..Why would the Marlins even consider this? Yelich is a 24 yr old, 3.5 WAR solid CF, .300 hitter, 20 SB, #2 hitter (projected to develop 20 HR power & move to #3 at some point)…….who’s intelligent enough to continue to improve each year. He’s signed long term to a team friendly contract ($1 mil in 2016, 3.5 mil in 2017, 7.0 mil in 2018…..). They have no reason (or desire) to trade him for a guy they already had, and traded away. I’d rather have Yelich than Inciarte…..and there’s WAY too much buzz going on about the light-hitting OF that the Braves might “flip”….smh

While it wouldn’t hurt for Taylor to spend time in AAA working on his approach, I doubt that being in the majors would inhibit his progress, and a fourth outfielder can get 400 plate appearances, especially on the Nats. He comes off as a smart, coachable player in interviews. They’ve yet to tap into his speed much either, he stole 51 bases in high-A ball. I think his upside could be a player like Mike Cameron.

While he has the speed to steal bags, him coming close to that 51 total ever again is pretty unlikely.

Usually, players with good to solid speed will rack up high SB numbers in A ball; due to, players and coaches often taking advantage of and being more aggressive with younger pitchers, inexperienced catchers, etc.

Although, with this being said, I could see Taylor getting around 25 SB’s if he is given some more opportunities.

16 of 19 against “experienced catchers” left a lot of opportunity out there. I didn’t say he was going to lead the league, just that he was underutilized. No need for the development lecture. I would take 25 steals certainly, given his contact issues..

Not sure what of who the Yankees might expect in return for Nova to the Marlins. Perhaps a halfway decent bullpen arm or maybe Triple A depth at 3rd base that in an emergency the Yankees could call up.

The Marlins don’t exactly have the best farm system so chances are they won’t be able to offer much even if they want or like Nova a lot. Most of their top pitching prospects (basically everyone but Tyler Kolek) project, at best, as 4th or 5th starters. Their position players also don’t have a lot of wow factor (a whole lot of “utility guys” types).

Maybe the Yankees can include a 3rd team like the Phillies and include Howard along with Nova who they send to the Marlins. Howard and his remaining $35MM he’s due should be worth a couple of “cotton candy” vendors.to the Marlins.

Yankees should hang onto Nova and then sign Fister to a one year deal with a second year mutual option and buyout. He has a low floor but with little risk he has somewhat of a high ceiling, former AL experience and can presumably eat the innings the rotation is going to need eaten. Yankees will have a lot of health question marks and no real ace, but they will have 7 MLB caliber starters and a lethal bullpen.

Next year you can easily eat Fister’s buyout in a worst case with all the money coming off the books, or have him as depth again.

I feel like this is Cashman’s Plan B in the even the can’t move Gardner and/or Miller for a starter this month.

Next year resign Chapman, get the ace, find a power-hitting OF, have plans for Judge and Sanchez and you’re pretty much ready to go.

That trade is so lopsided…. I honestly can’t believe you think the braves will give up one of the better first basemen in the league, an on the rise starting pitcher and some decent players for an aging first basemen, a pitcher coming off a down year and just a top prospect.

Teixeira has a full no trade clause and has already said he is not going anywhere until his contract is up and I am sure he will attempt to sign as a DH/backup 1st base for them next year at a discounted rate. Tex loves New York and has a charity there working with at risk/underprivileged youth. So all of the Tex trade scenarios need to stop. Plus, why would the Yankees trade for a big contract like Freeman’s when Bird is ready? Granted Freeman is better but he is also expensive where as Bird makes the league minimum for the next couple of years.

Good call coffinnail, I was unaware of his no trade clause. Just simply threw it out there as good scenario, Tex back against NL pitching would improve his stats in my opinion on essentially a one year deal and Bird could then be packaged elsewhere as Freeman is established. Good call on your end.

So, an overpaid, expiring, 35 year old 1B, a mediocre back of the rotation starter, one top prospect and cash for a young All Star 1B (signed at a very modest 6/118.5 through 2021), an okay mid rotation starter (also signed to a friendly deal, 5/40.6 through 2020), and granted two barely-replacement level players on big contracts in Swish and Bourn, but still.

Even if someone, somehow, did consider this to be a fair swap, in what way does this fit what the Braves are trying to do? They’ve been stockpiling some very impressive young talent, so why would they trade their two best Major League assets for mediocre veterans, some cash and a kid who, by “top prospect” standards, struggled last year with a sub-.800 OPS and a K% getting closer and closer to 30%?

My only thoughts on that were the fact of saving 18M or so this year and clears 30M to put towards a complete team. I understand what the pieces are, could be, and couldn’t be. Not a huge fan of losing either, just throwing out the scenario.

Wil Myers is going to play 1st base in 2016……..They have Amarista listed at SS, but they are talking to Desmond, apparently. No need to twitch, regardless of what moves they make this winter, they aren’t going to be in contention in 2016…..They will probably trde Shields in July, if he doesn’t implode before that. Hopefully Kemp can stay out of the trainer’s room often enough to count some stats…..and Melvin can somehow “earn his paycheck”……..They should stay away from Desmond…..why spend 5/70 on a SS when you’re in a fire sale/rebuild?

No way does Nova alone get you Prado. Prado in the last three years alone has accumulated more value (7.3 fWAR) than Nova has in his entire career (6.7 fWAR). His value is almost all defensive, but he’ll play everywhere and at the very least on offense, hit around league average with a very solid average and a low K%. He’s a valuable player.

Don’t trade Nova unless you receive a top 10 pitching prospect in the teams minor league. He is a perfect spot starter(like Warren who is now gone) and if he can put up numbers similar to Warren’s last years numbers then trade him next season for a much higher return

Nova is definitely the right guy to move. You would think they can get something decent in return because of the low salary. If Tanaka is healthy and C.C.can rebound from his difficulties I think their rotation will be ok. I guess we can expect Pineda and Eovoldi to be solid three and four guys and I really liked what I saw from Severino.

My only problem with Severino is the fact the Yankees limited him to 5 innings during his trip to top prospect status. That is basically two trips through the order. If he starts getting rocked the third trip through MLB hitting. Which will make him basically another Eovaldi. I hope they didn’t hold onto him when they could have traded him when all of baseball saw him as a future TOR. He is worth the risk though. I just have some slight worries, so I wouldn’t be upset if they traded him at peak value.